Laura Arjon

1312 Oak Trail St.

Newbury Park, CA
91320
Amy Tan
1234 Bumble Bee Ave.
Newbury Park, CA
91320
September 8, 2014
Dear Amy Tan,
The narrative Mother Tongue that you wrote was very interesting and relatable
to my position in life. It is similar to my life because my parents are immigrants from
Mexico but have been US citizens for over twenty years now. Similarly, like you
described in your narrative that your mother has a certain type of English that she speaks
and you only understand her is exactly how I understand my parents when they speak
English. Specifically, I liked the way you described your mothers English as it being
broken because I can relate that to the way my parents speak as it being very choppy
but I can still understand them. For instance, as you said the English elaborates the way
you speak by the people around them, but my parents are only influenced by people who
speak their native language so for them to perfect their English is difficult because most
English speakers can hardly understand them.
Also, I liked the way you gave some examples of how you would have to help your
mother in certain situations by talking on the phone with authorities. I can relate to that
situation because I still have to do that to this day and I am always very nervous to speak
to them. My parents can understand the English language most of the time but I do need
to break it down for them during certain situations and explain to them in detail.
Likewise, I really enjoyed the techniques you used when you would explain in detail
when your mother went into the New York office and was yelling at the man. I can
picture in my mind an Asian lady just yelling at him in her own language. Also, I wish
you explained a little more when you were talking about the man giving a speech at your
mothers wedding. It was a little confusing and I did get little lost.
In other words, I can relate to your character because in grade school I had to teach
myself English from what I would only know from inside the classroom. I never had the
opportunity like all the other kids to practice the language at home because in my
household we spoke a different language. It was very difficult to know that the other
children had a high advantage of succeeding in English and that I would just get my
knowledge of the language from my peers. It is great to be bilingual in my opinion
because there are higher opportunities that you will receive for knowing two different
languages. Thank you for your time in reading my letter.
Sincerely,
Laura Arjon